Method and system for forming scaffolding

ABSTRACT

A system and method for forming scaffolding wherein the system comprises a plurality of upright columns arranged along a line adjacent to a vertical surface and anchored proximate to a base thereof and a platform supported by the plurality of upright columns. The method comprises anchoring a first set of a plurality of upright column segments by a base support proximate to a bottom of wall along a single line, extending a plurality of subsequent upright column segments from the first set of upright column segments to form a plurality of inline upright columns and supporting a platform from the plurality of upright columns.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to scaffolding and in particular to a method and system for forming scaffolding adjacent to a wall.

2. Description of Related Art

Scaffolding is a common temporary structure that may be erected and located at a desired position for access to an elevated surface. Such scaffolding systems are frequently substantially free standing and therefore require a solid and stabile base on which to support the scaffolding structure. Such stable footing is difficult to reliably achieve in an in-ground excavation in which the floor of such an excavation may be loose or uneven soil. Such difficulty to provide stable footing is further complicated by conventional scaffolding being formed of 4 or more uprights with platforms extending therebetweeen. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it becomes very difficult to provide a level base for such four legs on such a surface.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed a system for forming scaffolding comprising a plurality of upright columns arranged along a line adjacent to a vertical surface and anchored proximate to a base thereof and a platform supported by the plurality of upright columns.

The upright columns may be formed of a plurality of pipe sections. The pipe sections may be threaded together. The pipe sections may be connected endwise together with couplers.

The system may further comprise a track suspended from the platform for supporting a tool. The system may further comprise ladders extending between vertically adjacent platforms.

The plurality of columns may be supported by a base bottom of the wall. The plurality of columns may be anchored in a floor at the bottom of the wall. The plurality of columns may be screwed into the floor.

The method may further comprise at least one bracket adapted to be clamped around the upright column for supporting the platform. The system may further comprise a plurality of tieback members extending between an upright column and an anchor secured within an adjacent wall

According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a method for forming a scaffolding comprising anchoring a first set of a plurality of upright column segments by a base support proximate to a bottom of wall along a single line, extending a plurality of subsequent upright column segments from the first set of upright column segments to form a plurality of inline upright columns and supporting a platform from the plurality of upright columns.

The upright column may be formed by endwise connecting the plurality of column segments to each other. The elongate column segments may be threaded to each other. The platform may be secured to the upright columns with brackets. The brackets may comprise clamps secured around the upright columns. The platform may be cantilevered away from the upright columns in a direction away from the wall.

The first set of column segments may be secured in a base member. The first set of column segments may be embedded within a floor adjacent to the bottom of the wall. The method may further comprise extending at least one tieback from the upright to the wall.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding system for use adjacent to a wall of an excavation according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base for the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 at a first stage.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 at a second stage.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 at a fully erected stage.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 with alternating platforms removed.

FIG. 7 is a detailed side view of the platform of the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a detailed side view of the tieback members securing an upright to a wall of the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a front view of a hoist beam for use in the system of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the hoist beam of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a front view of a scaffolding system for use adjacent to a wall of an excavation according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bracket and clamping system for supporting the platform of the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a front view of a bracket support for the platform of the system of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the support collar of the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bracing collar of the system of Figure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary system for forming a scaffolding adjacent to a wall 8 according to a first embodiment is shown generally at 10. The system 10 comprises a plurality of uprights 12 extending from a floor 6 in an excavation 4 along a single line adjacent to a wall 8 thereof. The uprights 12 and support at least one platform 50 cantilevered away from the wall 8 as will be further described below. The uprights are secured to the floor along a single line at a common distance from the wall. As illustrated, the uprights 12 may be in a straight line, however it will be appreciated that the line may also have a curvature where the profile of the wall 8 also has a curvature or where otherwise required.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , the system includes a base adapted to provide a solid foundation for the scaffolding system and to support the weight of the remainder of the system and any equipment or personnel carried thereon. The base 20 may be formed of a rigid and strong plate 22, such as by way of non-limiting example steel or the like. The plate 22 includes a front surface 24 extending substantially parallel to the wall 8 and a top surface extending substantially perpendicularly thereto. The top surface 24 includes a plurality of bores 26 thereinto sized to receive the uprights 12 therein. The uprights 12 may be secured within the bores 26 by any known means including fasteners, welding, adhesives, friction or the like. Optionally reinforcing buttresses 28 or supports may be added to the connection therebetweeen to strengthen the connection or more securely locate the uprights in the bores. Additionally, the base may include a concrete pad or blocks 30 thereunder to support the plate 22. As illustrated, the plate 22 may be solid or filled with any known material including soil from the excavation. And the plate may be secured to the wall 8 of the excavation with anchors or the like as are commonly known. Optionally, the base may be provided by boring, screwing or otherwise embedding the uprights 12 into the floor 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the uprights 12 may be formed or a plurality of elongate upright members 14. The plurality of elongate members 14 may be secured to each other in an end wise connection using any known means including, without limitation, threading, connectors 16 as illustrated in FIG. 6 or other know means. The elongate members 14 may be formed of steel pipe or the like having threading or other common connectors therewith. In particular, it has been found that round, schedule 40 pipe having a diameter of between 1½ and 16 inches (38 and 406 mm) may be particularly useful. As illustrated in the figures, the uprights 12 may optionally include cross bracing 16 or other commonly utilized stabilizing and strengthening means.

The system 10 may optionally include tiebacks 40 comprising a connector operable to received within bores in the wall 8 and connected to the uprights 12. In particular the ps 40 may be formed of any suitable member operable to couple the uprights 12 to the wall. Optionally, the tiebacks 40 may comprise rigid bars or brackets operable to secure and stabilize the uprights 12. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the system 10 may also include blocks or spacers 42 located between the uprights 12 and the wall 8 so as to space the upright away from the wall by a desired distance. Such blocks may be formed of any suitable material including wood, metal plastic or the like. Where spacers are utilized, the tiebacks 40 may have a length adjustment so as to permit them draw the upright 12 towards the wall 8 when shortened so as to compress the blocks 42 therebetween.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 , the platform 50 comprises a substantially flat worker supporting surface 52 connected to and supported by the uprights 12. The worker supporting surface may include one or more support collars 100 adapted to grip or otherwise secure to the uprights 12 thereby securing the worker supporting surface 52 thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the platform extends between proximate and distal edges, 56 and 58, respectively wherein the proximate edge is adjacent to the wall 8 with the clamps 54 adjacent to the proximate edge 58. In such a manner, the platform extends substantially cantilevered form the uprights to the distal edge 56. The platform may optionally include brace 60 extending between the distal edge 56 to the upright to support the distal edge 56. Optionally, as illustrated, the platform 50 may also include railings 62 and ladders 64 as are commonly known.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the support collars 100 comprise collars 102 sized to be secured around the uprights 12. The collars 102 may be secured in any known means including compressive gripping with a central bore 104 thereon, set screws 106 or the like. The support collars 100 may include one or more protrusions 110 extending substantially horizontally away therefrom which include a central bore 112 sized to receive a bar or rod on which the worker supporting surface 52 is supported. Optionally, the protrusions 110 may include a set screw 114 or the like for securing the bars therein. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the worker supporting surface 52 is supported on one or more bars 54 inserted into the protrusions 110 to support a proximate end 58. As set out above, the distal end may be supported by a brace 60 extending from the distal end 56 to a brace collar 120 on the upright 12 below the support collar 100. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the protrusions 110 may be oriented to extend away from the wall 8 so as to support the rods 54 under the worker supporting surface 52. Optionally as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the support collars 100 and an additional brace collar 120 may be turned to orient the protrusions 110 parallel to the wall and therefore provide a bracket 140 parallel to the wall 8. Thereafter, an additional spacer bracket 142 may be located thereabove so as to lift the platform 50 above the height of the support collars 100 where an obstruction may be preventing locating the support collar 100 at the same height thereas.

Turning now to FIG. 15 , the brace collar 120 comprises collars 122 sized to be secured around the uprights 12. The collars 122 may be secured in any known means including compressive gripping with a central bore 124 thereon, set screws 126 or the like. The support collars 120 may include one or more protrusions 130 extending substantially horizontally away therefrom which include a central bore 132 sized to receive the support brace 60. Optionally, the protrusions 132 may include a set screw (not shown) or the like for securing the brace therein. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the brace 60 is inserted into the protrusions 130 to support a distal end 56 of the platform.

In operation, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , once a base 20 has been located at the bottom of the wall 8 to a desired height, a platform 50 may be located thereon. The height of the platform 50 is selected to correspond to the height at which additional lateral support for the uprights 12 are required. Once the platform is located at the desire height works may perform one or more actions on the wall 8 surface including but not limited to utilize a drill or other equipment to form one or more securing bores 90 in the wall, applying stabilizing mesh thereto or applying shotcrete. Thereafter, if desired but not necessarily required, tiebacks 40 may be located within and secured to the securing bores 90. Additional elongate members 14 may then be added to the top of the uprights 12 to increase the height thereof. It will be appreciate that that this process may be repeated in any desired number and spacing of increments such as, by way of non-limiting example, 4-6 foot lengths of elongate members with equivalent securing bore spacing. Once a desired increased height has been reached, a new platform may be added to the top of the uprights 12 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and the process repeated until a completed desired height for the system has been reached as illustrated in FIG. 5 . With the desired height of the structure formed, workers may then remove one or more intermediate platforms, such as, by way of non-limiting example, alternating platforms as illustrated in FIG. 6 so as to provide increased working room for works against the wall 8. During or after forming the structure, works may also apply surface treatments to the wall to strengthen and stabilize it as are commonly known including, without limitation, applying mesh shotcrete or the like. When the system 10 is no longer required at the given location, workers may remove the structure layer by layer beginning at the topmost layer by removing elongate members 14, platforms, tiebacks 40 and any other component by working their way down the structure.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the platform 50 may include a track 70 suspended therebelow. Such a track 70 may be formed of an elongate structural beam and be supported form clamps 72 secured to beams supporting the platform 50 or any other structure associated therewith. The beam 70 may be utilized for supporting a drill or other tool below the platform to enable workers to drill additional securing bores 90 into the wall or a hoist for lifting equipment and parts to the desired eight along the wall. It will be appreciated that such a beam 70 may include a carriage (not shown) as are commonly known operable to move longitinally along the beam to support a piece of equipment at any desired location along the wall 8.

Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 10 a single temporary platform 80 may be employed which is moved as the height of the uprights 12 increases. In such embodiments, after the height of the uprights has been increased, the temporary platform may be moved to the new height at or proximate to the top of the uprights 12 to provide a raised position for the workers to continue building and securing the uprights.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosure as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for forming scaffolding comprising: a plurality of upright columns arranged along a line adjacent to a vertical surface and anchored proximate to a base thereof; and a platform supported by the plurality of upright columns.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the upright columns are formed of a plurality of pipe sections.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the pipe sections are threaded together.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the pipe sections are connected endwise together with couplers.
 5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a track suspended from the platform for supporting a tool.
 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising ladders extending between vertically adjacent platforms.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of columns are supported by a base bottom of the wall.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of columns are anchored in a floor at the bottom of the wall.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of columns are screwed into the floor.
 10. the method of claim 1 further comprising at least one bracket adapted to be clamped around the upright column for supporting the platform.
 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tieback members extending between an upright column and an anchor secured within an adjacent earth wall
 12. A method for forming a scaffolding comprising: anchoring a first set of a plurality of upright column segments by a base support proximate to a bottom of wall along a single line; extending a plurality of subsequent upright column segments from the first set of upright column segments to form a plurality of inline upright columns; and supporting a platform from the plurality of upright columns;
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the upright column is formed by endwise connecting the plurality of column segments to each other.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the elongate column segments are threaded to each other.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the platform is secured to the upright columns with brackets.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the brackets comprise clamps secured around the upright columns.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the platform is cantilevered away from the upright columns in a direction away from the wall.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the first set of column segments are secured in a base member.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein the first set of column segments are embedded within a floor adjacent to the bottom of the wall.
 20. The method of claim 12 further comprising extending at least one tieback from the upright to the wall. 